The
Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) project was conceived in the
early years of Reagan administration. It was pictured as being
the aircraft which would replace the McDonnell Douglas F-15
Eagle in USAF service. Seven manufacturers responded
to bid proposal. On October 31, 1986, Lockheed and
Northrop were announced as the winners and were awarded
contracts for the Demonstration and Validation phase of the
program. Each group was to build two flyable prototypes. The
Lockheed-led team would build two YF-22A prototypes and the
Northrop-led team would build two YF-23A prototypes.
The first YF-23A was shipped to Edwards AFB in California in
1989. It was rolled out at Edwards AFB in a public ceremony on
June 22, 1990. Progress
with the flight testing was rapid. On April 23, 1991, the
Air Force announced that the Lockheed group had won the
demonstration/valuation phase of the ATF contest. Although
detailed comparisons between the YF-22A and the YF-23A are still
highly classified, the general consensus is that the YF-23A was
the fastest, but the YF-23A was more maneuverable, had greater
stealth, and presented fewer risks. After extensive flight
testing the YF-22 was selected for production.